[5] The author's preface or introduction is wholly controversial. It consists of a reply to Mr. _Samoïlowitz_, who had attempted, in a very illiberal manner, to detract from the merit of the author's publication. This reply is accompanied with copies of the certificates and testimonials received from the lieutenant of the police, the governours of the Foundling-Hospital, the lieutenant-general of Moscow, Count Pànin, the privy counsellor de Betzky, &c. relative to his advice and exertions during the time of the plague. These vouchers completely refute his adversary's charges; but as they and the rest of the preface present no facts relative to the history or treatment of the disorder, they cannot be interesting to any but the author's friends, and are therefore omitted. [6] Notwithstanding this, Mr. _Samoïlowitz_ contends strenuously for the inoculation of this disorder, in a pamphlet entitled "Memoire sur l'Inoculation de la Peste, &c. Strasbourg, 1782." [7] See Addenda, Note A. [8] In military hospitals men perform the office of nurses. Tr. [9] Literally physician to the city. The Russian government appoints a physician to every principal town of the empire. [10] _Orræus_ states, that of the whole number, which consisted of thirty, twenty-two died, five recovered, and three escaped infection. _Descriptio Pestis_, p. 26. Translator. [11] We have omitted a sentence or two in this paragraph which threw no light on the subject, and might have appeared exceptionable to some readers. Tr. [12] The author relates in a note, which it did not appear necessary to translate entire, that he found himself in a very disagreeable situation, in consequence of having been one of the first to assert the existence of the plague. The language used by some rival practitioners on this occasion, tended (as he believes) to stir up the populace to attack his house in the manner hereafter mentioned. [13] See Gustavi Orræi Descriptio Pestis. 4to. Petropoli, 1784, p. 29. [14] The state physician, Dr. _Rinder_, was attacked at the end of February with a gangrenous ulcer in the leg, which prevented his attendance at this meeting:--He died soon after. [15] Orræus, as before quoted, p. 29. [16] Three versts are equal to two English miles. Tr. [17] In what manner the contagion got among these people could not be ascertained. Perhaps, through the negligence of the centinels, they had some communication with the persons under quarantine; or had become infected by bringing into use clothes and other effects, which the last-mentioned persons might have concealed under ground before their removal to the quarantine-hospital. [18] Besides praying by them in the ordinary manner, it is customary, in Russia, to carry in great pomp to the sick the images of their saints, which every person present kisses in rotation.